Skilled, Compassionate Care for Senior Pets

As you know, pets age faster than people and before you know it, your pet is considered a senior. Just like people, senior pets start to slow down a little bit with age and can develop common age-related health problems like arthritis and impaired vision. We consider most cats and dogs to be seniors at 7 years of age.

What to Expect in the Senior Years

Part of our senior pet care program includes monitoring the following checklist of common symptoms found in senior pets. Please review this list and be sure to mention it to your veterinarian during your older pet’s checkup.

Decreases in vision or hearing

Lumps or growths

Change in water consumption (watch carefully for an increase in volume)

Change in appetite or consumption

Lethargy or depression (listless behavior)

Constipation

Change in attitude (irritability)

Vomiting or diarrhea

Weight gain or weight loss

Bad breath

Stiffness, trouble jumping

Confusion, disorientation

Loss of house training

Change in sleep/wake cycle

My Pet’s Senior Wellness Examination

When your senior pet comes to Androscoggin Animal Hospital, he or she will receive a comprehensive physical exam, including:

Eyes

Ears

Nose

Mouth

Skin

Muscles and joints

Glands

Heart

Lungs

Internal organs

Diagnostic Screening Tests for Seniors

In addition to a full physical exam, if indicated, we will also order the following common diagnostic screening tests:

Blood pressure—Tests for hypertension, a disease that can lead to problems such as heart disease, kidney disease, and blindness.

Radiolographs and ultrasound—Providing a clear view of many internal organs and used to diagnose age-related concerns such as cardiac problems, abdominal growths, and tumors.

Urinalysis—Assesses the function and health of the kidneys and urinary bladder.

Fecal exams for intestinal worms—Cats and Dogs

Dogs—Blood testing for Heartworm Disease – screening and prevention and Tick Borne diseases – Lyme, Ehrlichia and Anaplasma are the most common in Maine.

Compassionate Counseling and End-of-Life Care

Of course, pets don’t live forever, and we know how difficult end-of-life decisions are when you have a beloved pet. We offer thoughtful and compassionate counseling to all of our families of senior and seriously ill pets. Our entire staff is sensitive to these issues and will reach out to you with kindness and understanding as you tread this difficult territory at the end of your pet’s life.

Everyone here was very attentive & caring. They were prompt & were very detailed in all conversations & exams. It's difficult to find a trustworthy doctor who understands rabbits, so I'm grateful I found these guys!...

Hospital Hours:

Map and Directions:

The materials offered on this website are intended for educational purposes only. Androscoggin Animal Hospital does not provide any veterinary medical services or guidance via the Internet. Please call and schedule an appointment, or consult your veterinarian for matters regarding the care of your pets.